Over the last few months I have shared a number of photographs I have taken whilst out and about via social media, and linked them to some of Paul Weller's lyrics. On Paul’s 65th birthday I dedicated a blog post to him featuring a selection. As today is my 62nd birthday it seems like the ideal time to compile a second post. This time I have incorporated a number of excellent suggestions made by some Twitter (X) friends alongside of my own. I hope you will enjoy.
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Seeing a dramatic sky always sparks emotions in me. The rugged lonely stretch of beach between Kilnsea and Spurn in East Yorkshire one blustery June day seemed a fitting backdrop to one such sky. The whole scene conjured up images of one of Paul’s most famous characters.
Liza Radley
Liza Radley, see her jump through loneliness
Liza Radley, take me when you go.
This summer my husband and I were lucky enough to take a road trip across Europe. The highlight was when we drove on the spectacular Transfagarasan Highway in Romania. It was there I took what has turned out to be a personal favourite photo of the stunning Lake Vidraru. The lyrics of a certain song by The Style Council immediately came to mind.
Have You Ever Had It Blue?
Have you ever had it blue?
Have you ever had it blue?
In addition to the beautiful lake, there was a waterfall spanning a large section of the mountainous areas around the highway. Set against a backdrop of lush evergreen trees it was a refreshing sight in more ways than one. I can't take any credit for linking the lyrics below to the photo. Thank you Jasmine for the inspiration taken from Setting Sons.
Wasteland
Meet me later but we'll have to hold hands
Tumble and fall (tumble and falling)
Like our lives (like our live)
Exactly like our lives.
The next photo was taken early in the morning in Passau, Germany. The river traffic had not started making its way up and down the mighty Danube. There was barely a breath of wind, and the sun had risen sufficiently to give way to some amazing cloud reflections in the still water. It was both ethereal and beautiful. A song with special significance for me came to mind. It was the track The Jam opened with the first time I saw them live in September 1982.
Ghosts
Why are you frightened - can't you see that it's you?
That ain't no ghost it's a reflection of you
Why do you turn away - an' keep it out of sight
Oh - don't live up to your given roles
There's more inside you that you won't show.
The photo below was taken from the window of a plane. There is something surreal and dream-like about looking down on clouds. The words of one of my favourite (equally surreal) tracks on All Mod Cons came to mind instantly.
In The Crowd
And everyone seems like they're acting a dream
'Cause they're just not thinking about each other
However, lyrics that are an even better fit were suggested by Lee Applegarth. As a side note, Lee’s video showing an incredible 'Down In The Tube Station At Midnight' themed room in his house was one of the highlights in my last blog post. Here's a link.
Above The Clouds
Above the clouds, what's to be found
I have to wonder, will I be around?
The last stop on our European tour was Bulgaria. This photo was taken at the Malak Preslavets lily lake/marsh. It's home to hundreds of nesting birds in the spring and is a site of scientific interest. It's also a very tranquil and picturesque little spot. Mark suggested the lyrics below, from a single Paul Weller released in 2002.
Leafy Mysteries
Wait for the breeze
To carry me
To a place I can lose myself
No time just somewhere else
With a face I can recognise
I forget sometimes
That's always been here.
I'm back on home turf with the next photo. Anyone who has read my poetry blog will know I am endlessly fascinated by clouds. Whilst taking a stroll on the beach between Withernsea and Tunstall in East Yorkshire I couldn't help but notice yet more cloud reflections swirling around the soft sand. As the clouds moved it gave the impression the ripples in the sand were moving. I instantly started humming a tune featured on 'Stanley Road'.
The Changingman
And the more I see, the more I know
The more I know, the less I understand
I'm the changingman, built on shifting sands.
Moving over to West Yorkshire to a little place called Ferrybridge. This image of a bridge over the River Aire was to me, perfect symmetry, even down to the wires overhead. Another of Paul's solo singles came to mind.
Uh Huh Oh Yeh
I took a trip down Boundary Lane
Tryin' to find myself again
At least the part I left somewhere
Buried under a hedgerow near
A lazy bridge on a hot afternoon
Water glistening whilst it plays a tune.
The next three songs are a joint venture with Alex McLaughlin. Alex has a wide knowledge of music and he has made some excellent non-Weller penned suggestions for some of my images in addition to those included in this post.
Early September is a wonderful time for spotting spiders' webs. The fragility of these beautiful, little works of art never ceases to amaze me. The photo below was taken in my garden early in the morning. If you enlarge the image you can see dewdrops hanging from the web.They sparkled like tiny diamonds, adding further to the magic. That's when another of Paul's solo singles came into my head.
You Do Something To Me
You do something to me
Something deep inside
I'm hanging on the wire
For love I'll never find.
Alex suggested a tune from Fat Pop.
Cobweb/Connections
Is there not a moment you could cite
That takes you through the back roads
Down by the river
Somewhere in the cobwebs
Of your mind.
The remains of the ancient Spielberg Castle was a sight we stumbled across whilst travelling through Austria. Tucked away in the heart of some woodland there is sufficient left of the building to get a feel for what it might have looked like in its glory days. My eyes were instantly drawn to two windows, one overlooking the grass and one the sky. I was reminded of the lyrics of one of my favourite tracks on This Is The Modern World.
Life From A Window
Life from a window
I’m just taking in the view
Life from a window
Watching everything around you.
Alex suggested another of Paul’s solo tracks.
Old Castles
Some kings just don’t care
Happy just to stare and stare
And bad things will happen
That cause old castles to fall.
I have written many a poem about a sleepy little place on the banks of the Humber called Paull. It has a rugged charm all of its own and also holds some precious memories. There was only one song from All Mod Cons to pair with the photo below taken at the nature reserve there.
The place I love is overgrown now
With beautiful moss and colourful flowers.
Alex linked this song from 1992.
Bull-Rush
There are bullrushes outside my window
And their leaves whisper words in the breeze.
I find a raging fire both primeval and mesmerising. Nothing keeps you in the here and now any better. There was only one song on my mind as I stared into these dancing flames.
Funeral Pyre
Bring some paper and bring some wood
Bring what’s left of all your love for the fire
We’ll watch the flames grow higher.
If I see just one sunflower, it instantly lifts my spirits. Seeing a field full of them is like staring at hundreds of smiling faces. I’ve matched not one but two songs to this photo.
Sunflower
I’ll send you a sunflower
A sunflower bright
Tales From The Riverbank
Bring you a tale from the pastel fields
Where we ran when we were young.
And finally another photo taken at Paull one moody afternoon in August. It seemed to lend itself to being transformed into a black and white image. Once I’d done that, a couple of lines from the title track of The Gift seemed the perfect companion.
The Gift
Take a pinch of white and a pinch of black
Tell you move together and make your heart feel better.
That brings me to the end of yet another Paul Weller inspired post. I hope you will stay tuned for The Jam scrapbook number seven, coming soon. Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me.
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